Chapter 1: Newspaper Engagement Announcements Wording & Etiquette

Newly engaged and want to tell the world? Create an engagement announcement! A newspaper engagement announcement is one of the first opportunities for a couple to announce their engagement to the public using their local and city press. We are here to help the process of choosing engagement announcement wording and submitting the announcement to the press easy.

To begin, contact the news source in which you plan on placing the announcement. You can reach them by phone or by using an internet search engine with the query [newspaper to which you would like to submit] + engagement announcement. In some cases such as the Los Angeles Times, the newspaper provides a form for you to fill out, which they use to compile your wedding details into their own newspaper format. In other instances, particularly with smaller newspapers, the submitter may choose the engagement announcement wording.

Storkie Tip: While the brides'immediate family traditionally takeson the responsibility of findingthe appropriate newspaper(s) andwriting the piece, today, more andmore couples submit their ownannouncements.

Writing a Newspaper Engagement Announcement & Wording

Since newspapers charge by column size, it is in your best interest to be concise. Typically written in the past tense (since the engagement has already occurred), the announcement is from the point-of-view of the party hosting the wedding, traditionally the parents of the bride-to-be.

Details to include

Month and year of expected wedding date (only include the wedding date if wedding venue is secure prior to the announcement)

Person Officiating

Place and city of wedding

Bride's name

Bride's city, state

Bride's age

Bride's parents

Bride's parents' city and state of residence

Bride's schools, degrees and organizations

Bride's current employer and occupation

Groom's name

Groom's city, state

Groom's age

Groom's parents

Groom's parents' city and state of residence

Groom's schools, degrees and organizations

Groom's current employer and occupation

Honeymoon

Couple's future city of residence

Etiquette for Acknowledging Family

Since the announcement comes from the point-of-view of the wedding hosts, the first sentence in the engagement announcement wording may change based on the family dynamics. For instance, a standard wedding announcement might say:

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith of New York, New Yorkare pleased to announce the engagement oftheir daughter Jane Smith, to Jonathan Jackson,son of David and Elaine Jackson of Canterbury,New Hampshire. Ms. Smith, a graduate ofWellesley College, is a curator for a private artgallery in New York City. Mr. Jacksongraduated cum laude from Columbia, andpractices in the Law Offices of Franklin, Murrayin Brooklyn, New York. An October wedding is planned.

Storkie Tip: You are not obligated tomention both biological parents.

However, sometimes family dynamics are not as simple. Below are suggested announcement introductions for alternative circumstances:

Acknowledging a divorced parent of the bride or groom

Ms. Debora Smith is pleased to announce the engagement of her daughter, Jane Smith, to Jonathan Jackson… Ms. Smith is also the daughter of Joseph Smith of New York. (Place this line at the end of the announcement.)

Acknowledging a remarried parent of the bride or groom

Ms. Debora Smith and Mr. George Bell announce the engagement of Ms. Smith's daughter, Jane Smith to Jonathan Jackson… Ms. Smith is also the daughter of Joseph Smith of New York.

Acknowledging a deceased parent of the bride or groom

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Smith of New York, New York are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Jane Smith to Jonathan Jackson, son of Elaine Jackson and the late Mr. David Jackson of Canterbury, New Hampshire.

If the couple is hosting the wedding, or if this is a second or third marriage

Jane Smith, a curator for a private art gallery inNew York City, is to be married to Jonathan Jackson,a partner at the Law Offices of Franklin, Murray in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Smith is the daughter of Mr. Joseph Smith of Lincoln, Nebraskaand Mrs. Debora Smith of Orlando, Florida.Mr. Jackson is the son of David and Elaine Jacksonof Canterbury, New Hampshire. An October weddingis planned.

When to Announce Your Engagement

Traditionalists recommend that you announce your engagement at least two to three months prior to the wedding date.

Where to Announce Your Engagement

In the local newspaper where you currently reside. If the bride and groom live in two different cities, create an announcement for each paper.

Alumni magazines or college newspapers – especially if the bride and groom graduated from the same school.

News sources near extended friends or family members.

Guidelines for Including an Image

Submitting a photo with your engagement announcement will cost extra, but it's an exciting way to make your announcement stand out in the newspaper and introduce friends and relatives to your fiancé.